What's Been Going on in East Lansing?
Catch up on our reporting from this week.
Happy Labor Day weekend!
We hope everyone is able to enjoy an extended break, as we have reached the unofficial end of summer. To start your weekend, catch up with our reporting from this week.
A longtime East Lansing business owner wants to build housing downtown. First the city will have to change its policies.
The owners of the Student Book Store in downtown East Lansing want to build a massive 14-story apartment complex that includes space for commercial businesses. The catch? Developers say the city will need to amend an ordinance that requires 25% of units be dedicated to low-to-moderate income renters or another group that diversifies the downtown housing market. Read about the potential new development and why developers believe a fee-in-lieu program could help the city meet its housing needs in Reporter Dustin DuFort Petty’s story.
Voters to weigh millage that would fund parks and ease pressure on the city’s budget deficit.
This November, voters will decide whether or not to support a property tax millage that would insulate the city’s Parks and Recreation Department from cuts, as the city struggles with financial challenges. If voters approve the millage, it would guarantee about $3 million in funding each year to replace the general fund’s contribution, which is $2.6 million this fiscal year. If voters reject the millage, the implications are less clear. City officials are unlikely to pull the general fund’s entire contribution, but the city will need to make changes somewhere in its budget to address a deficit that will otherwise persist. Read Managing Editor Luke Day’s analysis of the millage here.
Development updates: Pizzawala’s expects to open this winter; Temporary sauna park no longer in the works.
Reporter Ayah Imran got an update on a couple of developments that were approved to be added in East Lansing this year. Pizzawala’s management expects the Indian-style pizza restaurant to open in late November or early December. Timber Sauna Company, however, no longer plans to build a temporary sauna park in the vacant lot next to Crunchy’s. Ayah’s update can be read here.
East Lansing native Alex Flit opens Spartan Cuts Barbershop, blending craft, culture and community.
Longtime East Lansing Barber Alex Flit opened Spartan Cuts Barbershop downtown, marking his entry to the world of business ownership. Flit spoke with Dustin about his background in the city, the pride he takes in his craft and what makes a good barber. Read Dustin’s story on the new barbershop here.
East Lansing’s original Starbucks to close.
The first Starbucks in East Lansing, located near the Grand River Avenue and Charles Street intersection, will close Sunday, Aug. 31. Store management said staff will be transferred to a new Starbucks that is opening near Trader Joe’s. Read Dustin’s brief update on the changes here.
Five city meetings are scheduled next week.
It’s a slow week in city government next week, but there are still a few meetings scattered about. The Downtown Management Board has three meetings–one each day from Wednesday (Sept. 3) through Friday (Sept. 5). The Zoning Board of Appeals will convene Wednesday (Sept. 3) and the Housing Commission will gather Thursday (Sept. 4). When meeting agendas are posted, they can be found here.
Reminder: Submit your questions for City Council candidates.
Wednesday, Sept. 17, ELi and the Lansing Area League of Women Voters will team up to host a City Council candidate forum where the six candidates will answer questions. Wondering where candidates stand on a certain topic? Let us know! Prior to the forum, we’re collecting questions from readers to ensure we’re asking about the things most relevant to the community. Read about the forum and access the link to submit a question in Luke’s story.
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